Composite drawer handle

ABSTRACT

A composite drawer handle includes a handle portion of generally cylindrical construction and including an aperture extending longitudinally therethrough to receive serrated shanks of left and right bail ends inserted therein from opposite ends. Each of the bail end shanks is notched at one end to interengage the bail end shank fitted in the handle from the opposite end to align the bail ends and prevent relative rotation between them. Each of the bail ends further includes a shoulder spaced from the notched end and which seats against the end of the handle. Rib-like blades extend between the shank and the shoulder and are pressed into the ends of the handle during assembly to prevent rotation of the handle on the interengaged shanks. This construction permits the use of a wooden, plastic or other handle material together with metallic bail ends to form a rigid structure when assembled preventing the handle from rotating about the bail ends or easy removal of the bail ends once fitted in the handle.

United States Patent [191 Nov. 26, 1974 Watt, Jr.

coMPosiT E nAwER HANDLE [75] Inventor: William Doyle Watt, Jr., Grand Rapids, Mich.

[73] Assignee: Keeler Brass Company, Grand Rapids, Mich.

[22] Filed: Sept. 7, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 395,183

[52] US. Cl. 16/125 [51] Int. Cl A47b 95/02 [58] Field of Search 16/128, 125, 126

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,004,683 10/1911 Pritchrd 16/1'28 1,136,718 4/1915 Possons 16/125 1,315,376 9/1919 McDonald 16/126 2,594,027 4/1952 Jakeway [6/126 3,184,101 5/1965 Pentesco l6/125 Primary ExaminerPaul R. Gilliam Assistant Examiner-Doris L. Troutman Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Price, Heneveld, Huizenga & Cooper [5 7] ABSTRACT A composite drawer handle includes a handle portion of generally cylindrical construction and including an aperture extending longitudinally therethrough to receive serrated shanks of left and right bail ends inserted therein from opposite ends. Each of the bail end shanks is notched at one end to interengage the bail end shank fitted in the handle from the opposite end to align the bail ends and prevent relative rotation between them. Each of the bail ends further includes a shoulder spaced from the notched end and which seats against the end of the handle. Rib-like blades extend between the shank and the shoulder and are pressed into the ends of the handle during assembly to prevent rotation of the handle on the interengaged shanks. This construction permits the use of a wooden, plastic or other handle material together with metallic bail ends to form a rigid structure when assembled preventing the handle from rotating about the bail ends or easy removal of the bail ends once fitted in the handie.

12 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures COMPOSITE DRAWER HANDLE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to handles and in particular, to a composite or split section handle.

In conventional drawer pulls made of multiple sections, typically the handle member will be anchored at opposite ends to bail end segments which couple the handle to mounting bosses for attaching the handle to a drawer or the like. Typically, such composite handle constructions employ mounting collars, end caps or other similar members attached to opposite ends of a handle member for coupling the handle in spaced relationship to a drawer or other structure. US. Pat. No. 1,136,718 is representative of such structure. Such handles are relatively complex and require a plurality of separately manufactured parts thereby greatly increasing the cost of manufacture and the likelihood of failure during use.

One known type of handle designed particularly for a pail includes a resilient cylindrical handle member into which end segments are fitted. The end segments include'hook ends which interlock preventing removal of the end inserts from the resilient handle once the hooks snap to a locking position. This construction is required due to the nature of the attachment of the handle to the lid of the pail.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention, however, provides a composite handle which requires only three parts and which provides a rigid handle structure of unique construction.

Handles embodying the present invention include a substantially rigid handle member with a longitudinally extending aperture formed therethrough. Identical left and right bail end inserts include serrated shanks adapted to tightly fit into the handle member from opposite sides thereof. The ends of the serrated shanks are notched to interengage with the bail end inserted from the opposite side of the handle member to align the bail ends and prevent relative rotation between them. The bail ends include shoulders adapted to engage the opposite ends of the handle member and at least one rib-like blade extending from the shank to be pressed into the handle preventing rotation of the handle relative to the bail ends. Such construction provides a relatively uncomplicated three-piece composite handle in which the handle member itself may be made of wood, plastic or other substantiallyrigid material suitable for decorative shaping by turning in a lathe or by molding and which is easily assembled to provide a rigid structure with a non-rotating handle member.

It is an object, therefore, of the present invention to provide an improved composite handle structure.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a composite handle having a'pair of bail end inserts with serrated shanks for securing the inserts within a longitudinally extending aperture of a handle member.

A further object of the invention is to provide a c or n posite handle having interengaging bail end inserts to align the inserts and prevent relative rotation between BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a handle embodying the present invention shown mounted to the face of a drawer;

FIG. 2 is a partial plan view of the structure shown in FIG. 1 with the handle member shown in phantom form-to show the serrated shanks of the bail end inserts;

FIG. 3 is a front elevation of the left bail end insert shown in FIG. 1 before insertion into the handle member; and FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the left bail end insert taken along section lines IVIV in FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the figures, there is shown a composite handle 10 mounted to a front surface 12 of a drawer or the like by means of left and right mounting bosses l3 and 14 respectively. The composite handle 10 comprises a handle member 15 including an aperture 16 extending longitudinally therethrough. A pair of identical bail end inserts 20 are fitted into opposite ends of the handle member for coupling the handle in pivotal relationship between bosses 13 and 14 conventionally mounted to surface 12.

- In the preferred embodiment, the handle 20 was made of a hardwood such as oak and turned on a lathe and finished to provide a decorative external appearance. The handle member could, however, be manufactured of a molded polymeric material such as polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene or other substantially rigid material. Member 15 is of substantially cylindrical construction with aperture 16 extending through a left end 18 and a right end 19 of the handle.

Each of the bail end inserts 20 includes a shank 22 adapted to fit within aperture 16 of the handle member. Each shank includes means'cooperating between the shank and member 15 to secure the bail end into the handle member. In the preferred embodiment, the cooperating means comprises a plurality of serrations 24 spaced longitudinally along the shank. Each serration includes a narrowed forward portion 23 (FIG. 3) of circular cross section and an enlarged rearwardly extending skirt 25 having a circular cross section of greater diameter than aperture 16 in the handle member. In the preferred embodiment, aperture 16 was 0.25 inches in diameter and skirt 25 was 0285-0290 inches in diameter.

At the end of the shank there is provided interengaging means for aligning the bail end inserts once inserted into handle member 15.In the preferred embodiment, the aligning means comprises a notch 26 (FIG. 2) having a tapered end cut 27 defining an inclined surface extending partially across the shank and joining an elongated, axially extending flat 28 which is parallel to the axis of the shank and extends toward the opposite end of the shank a distance shown as dimension A in FIG. 2.

At the end of flat 28 remote from cut 27 is a second cut 30 with a face parallel to the face of cut 27 and which extends through the side of the shank opposite the flat from cut 27. As seen in FIG. 2, the flats 30 of the two opposed end bails interengage when the composite handle is assembled to align the bail ends in predetermined relationship to one another and prevent relative rotation therebetween. The length of flat 28 permits the bail ends to be employed with handle members of different lengths.

With a minimum length handle, cut 27 of one bail end will seat against cut 30 of the remaining bail end and vice versa. In the preferred embodiment, dimension A was approximately 0.375 inches. Flat 28 may, however, be extended as required to accommodate handles whose lengths vary over a larger range.

The end of shank 22 remote from notch 26 terminates in a shoulder 32 which abuts against one of the ends (18, 19) of handle member 15 when assembled. Extending from shank 22 there is at least one, and preferably a pair, of opposed rib-like blades 34 which, when the serrated shank is fitted into the handle 15, are pressed into the handle to aid in preventing rotation of the handle on the shanks of the bail ends. In the preferred embodiment, blades 34 extend between shoulder 32 and shank 22 and are pressed into ends 18 or 19 of the handle when assembled.

A curved arm 36 extends from shoulder 32 to a mounting boss 38 having a stub shaft 40 extending outwardly therefrom. Shaft 40 of the bail ends fits within apertures 13, 14 formed in mounting bosses l3 and 14, respectively, (FIG. 1) to mount the composite handle 10 to the drawer. Bail end inserts may be manufactured of die cast zinc with a suitable plating for decorative purposes. During assembly, the bail end inserts are press-fitted into the opposite ends of the handle until the shoulders 32 of the inserts abut against the opposite ends 18 and 19 of the handle whereupon the blades 34 press into the ends of the handle. The notched ends 26 of the serrated shanks interengage, as best seen in FIG. 2, and prevent relative rotation of the end members while the serrations 24 prevent the removal of the inserts from the handle 20. The end bosses 13 and 14 are then fitted over the aligned stub shafts 40 and the handle mounted to a drawer or the like in a conventional manner.

The construction of the bail end inserts permits their molding in the two-piece mold. Since the inserts are identical, the cost of the composite handle is significantly reduced. The construction of the composite handle prevents a quality handle with rigid construction preventing rotation of the handle member between the tight fitting aligned inserts which are not easily removable from the handle.

It will become apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications to the present invention may be made by those skilled in the art. For example, the bail end inserts may include a greater or fewer number of serrations on the shank or differently spaced blades for pressing into the handle. Additionally, if the handle is of a more rigid substance than the wood used in the preferred embodiment, it may be desirable to mold the handle member to include notches for receiving blades 34. It is important that the handle material permit the serrations to deform the wall of aperture 16 therein to assure ends 20 fit tightly within the handle. Although the bail end aligning means comprises notches 26 of specific construction, the ends of the shanks may be fabricated to otherwise suitably interengage to prevent their relative rotation. These and other modifications will, however, fall within the scope and spirit of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

l. A composite handle comprising:

a substantially rigid handle member including an aperture extending longitudinally therethrough; and

a pair of bail end inserts, each including a shank having rearwardly extending serrations cooperating between said shank and the inner surface defined by said aperture of said handle member to secure said inserts in said member when said shanks are force-fitted into opposite ends of said aperture of said handle member, each insert further including aligning means at an end of said shank for interengaging the end of an insert fitted within said handle member from an opposite end thereof to align said bail end inserts and prevent relative rotation between them.

2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said serrations comprise a plurality of spaced serrations integrally formed along said shank and including rearwardly projecting skirts having a cross-sectional dimension greater than the width of said aperture in said handle member.

3. The apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said aligning means comprises a notch formed in said end of said shank and configurated to include a flat surface such that when said inserts are fitted into said aperture of said handle member from opposite ends thereof, said flat surfaces interengage when said inserts are aligned in a predetermined manner.

4. The apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein each of said inserts further includes a shoulder at an end of said shank remote from said aligning means and shaped to abut end end of said handle member when said insert is fitted into said member.

5. The apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein each of said inserts further includes at least one rib-like blade extending between said shoulder and said shank and adapted to be press-fitted into an end of said handle member to prevent rotation of said member on said shank when said insert is fitted into said member.

6. The apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein each of said inserts further includes a curved arm extending from said shoulder and terminating in a mounting boss including an outwardly extending stub shaft.

7. A composite handle comprising:

a handle member formed of substantially rigid material and including an aperture extending therethrough for receiving handle mounting bail end inserts at opposite ends thereof; and

a pair of bail end inserts, each including a longitudinally extending shank including means for deformably engaging a wall of said aperture of said handle member when said shank is force-fitted into said aperture to compressibly secure said bail end inserts in said handle member, said shank further including a configurated end defining an axially extending fiat surface which engages a corresponding surface of the oppositely inserted bail end insert, Isaid flat surface extending axially a distance sufficient to permit said'inserts to overlap over a range permitting use of said bail end inserts with handle members of varying lengths.

i 8. The apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said cooperating means comprises a plurality of spaced serrations integrally formed along said shank, said serrations including rearwardly projecting skirts having a cross-sectional dimension greater than the width of said aperture in said handle member.

9. The apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said configurated end of said shank includes a pair of axially spaced inclined surfaces extending to opposite ends of said flat surface from opposite sides of said shank.

10. The apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein each of said bail end inserts further includes a shoulder at an end of said shank remote from said aligning means and shaped to abut and end of said handle member when said insert is fitted into said member 11. The apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein each of said inserts further includes at least one rib-like blade extending between said shoulder and said shank and adapted to be press-fitted into an end of said handle member to prevent rotation of said member on said shank when said insert is fitted into said member.

12. The apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein said handle member is made of wood and said bail end inserts are die cast metal.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PATENT N0. 49 ,833

DATED November 26 1974 INVENTOR(S) William Doyle Watt, Jr.

It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below' Column 3, line 53:

"prevents" should be provides Column 4, line 43:

"end" (first occurrence) should be an Signed and sealed this 27th day of May 1975.

(SEAL) Attest:

Attesting Officer and Trademarks 

1. A composite handle comprising: a substantially rigid handle member including an aperture extending longitudinally therethrough; and a pair of bail end inserts, each including a shank having rearwardly eXtending serrations cooperating between said shank and the inner surface defined by said aperture of said handle member to secure said inserts in said member when said shanks are force-fitted into opposite ends of said aperture of said handle member, each insert further including aligning means at an end of said shank for interengaging the end of an insert fitted within said handle member from an opposite end thereof to align said bail end inserts and prevent relative rotation between them.
 2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said serrations comprise a plurality of spaced serrations integrally formed along said shank and including rearwardly projecting skirts having a cross-sectional dimension greater than the width of said aperture in said handle member.
 3. The apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said aligning means comprises a notch formed in said end of said shank and configurated to include a flat surface such that when said inserts are fitted into said aperture of said handle member from opposite ends thereof, said flat surfaces interengage when said inserts are aligned in a predetermined manner.
 4. The apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein each of said inserts further includes a shoulder at an end of said shank remote from said aligning means and shaped to abut end end of said handle member when said insert is fitted into said member.
 5. The apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein each of said inserts further includes at least one rib-like blade extending between said shoulder and said shank and adapted to be press-fitted into an end of said handle member to prevent rotation of said member on said shank when said insert is fitted into said member.
 6. The apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein each of said inserts further includes a curved arm extending from said shoulder and terminating in a mounting boss including an outwardly extending stub shaft.
 7. A composite handle comprising: a handle member formed of substantially rigid material and including an aperture extending therethrough for receiving handle mounting bail end inserts at opposite ends thereof; and a pair of bail end inserts, each including a longitudinally extending shank including means for deformably engaging a wall of said aperture of said handle member when said shank is force-fitted into said aperture to compressibly secure said bail end inserts in said handle member, said shank further including a configurated end defining an axially extending flat surface which engages a corresponding surface of the oppositely inserted bail end insert, said flat surface extending axially a distance sufficient to permit said inserts to overlap over a range permitting use of said bail end inserts with handle members of varying lengths.
 8. The apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said cooperating means comprises a plurality of spaced serrations integrally formed along said shank, said serrations including rearwardly projecting skirts having a cross-sectional dimension greater than the width of said aperture in said handle member.
 9. The apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said configurated end of said shank includes a pair of axially spaced inclined surfaces extending to opposite ends of said flat surface from opposite sides of said shank.
 10. The apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein each of said bail end inserts further includes a shoulder at an end of said shank remote from said aligning means and shaped to abut and end of said handle member when said insert is fitted into said member
 11. The apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein each of said inserts further includes at least one rib-like blade extending between said shoulder and said shank and adapted to be press-fitted into an end of said handle member to prevent rotation of said member on said shank when said insert is fitted into said member.
 12. The apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein said handle member is made of wood and said bail end inserts are die cast metal. 